TOTW 3-18-05: Canopy Maintenance

[charlie]

Here's my first try at this, hope you all find this informative.

Maintenance on enclosed light hoods and canopies: 3-18-05

Alot of people sometimes forget that your lite hoods and canopies need some TLC every now and then. Aside from the general outside cleaning and spiffing, does anybody really want to even look inside? Well, it's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it!

First off, if you don't have a glass cover for your bulbs, you are gonna want to wipe them down, probably every week or so, salt creep is the pits, and really cuts down on performance. Please do this when the lites are off, it's just a good thing to do!! The glass on your hood should also be wiped down. How often depends on how close your hoods are to the water surface. I usually have to clean mine about once every month, but my lites are 13" off the water.

Now the part that not everyone (me), usually thinks about, the fans. God they get nasty!!!!! I just take the whole hood down, and vacuum the heck out of them. While you are at it, use the soft brush and give the inside of the thing the once over, can't hurt!! This will keep those cooling fans operating at the max. which really comes in handy come summer time, when you really need 'em.

Oh yeah, while you're inside there, check your endcaps and make sure that they are tight and there are no unusual things goin on around them. The same thing really applies to those of you using just the reflectors in your canopy. Those should be checked weekly, at least!!! There ain't nothin that can scare you like a bulb that has just popped and broken into your tank!!!

Well, I've probably left some stuff out, but that's what these things are for right. Add on what you will!
Thanx,
Charlie

[zhenya]

Good stuff,Charlie. Definately something that people need reminding on( myself included).

[charlie]

How do you think I came up with it Sometimes we just need a swift kick in the *&^.

[kevinpo]

Now why did you have to go and bring that up? I've got to go clean mine now Good information

Regards,
Kevin

[Reefland]

Excellent information and reminder charlie! I guess I ought to give ours a cleaning before the lights come on.

[charlie]

Scott, thanx for the help, I just typed it out in notepad and went from there. Next time I'll just do it as a regular thread. I was wondering how that would work. OOPS!

[scubadude]

Very good info Charlie
Love the txt attachment too. You just spawned an idea for me....I actually have a micro attachment for my vacuum and I think I will use it on my fans now its one of those attachments used to vacuum your keyboard on the computer.

[charlie]

You're supposed to clean the keyboard on your computer

Thanx

[tommyc]

Charlie, I have a fan at each end of my 72" hood.
Do you think it's better have them both pull hot air out or would you have one fan blowing in to create a flow thru the hood?

[charlie]

You got mail!!!!

[john1948]

Thanks for the info charlie, I'm in the process of starting a new Reef Aquarium (75 gal) after a 14 year hiatus from the hobby (lots of new tech). Your info was very helpful.

Thanks
john1948

[charlie]

You are welcome.